Bayern against Dortmund: Kovac and Kompany – What makes both of them successful coaches

As of: October 16, 2025 3:43 p.m

Vincent Kompany and Niko Kovac have taken Bayern and Dortmund to new levels with record statistics – in an individual, impressive way.

Neither coach was considered the number one preferred candidate when they took over their head coaching positions. But now both have earned the title of lucky break. Before the direct duel on the 7th Bundesliga matchday on Saturday (6.30 p.m., live audio report and live ticker on sportschau.de), FC Bayern Munich leads the table with an impeccable point tally of 18 points. The first pursuer is Borussia Dortmund with 14 points and still without defeat.

Even beyond these numbers, both coaches have amazing statistics. Starting with Kompany: The 39-year-old Belgian has only lost two of his 40 Bundesliga games with Bayern. An FCB coach has never had better odds. The 3.1 goals and 2.5 points per Bundesliga game are also records.

Kompany: Success in troubled times

Bayern are currently appearing extremely confident, which is particularly remarkable given the summer quarrels surrounding the small squad. Despite the turbulent environment, Kompany managed to do what several FCB coaches had previously failed: to form a unit out of a hodgepodge of international stars and ambitious talents.

For this he receives praise from many quarters, including Lothar Matthäus. “Everyone knows their role. This is a great achievement of Vincent Kompany,” wrote the record national player in his Sky column.

Like Guardiola, only different

As a player, Kompany trained under Pep Guardiola and obviously learned a lot, believes Philipp Lahm. “He also prefers possession of the ball and wants to dominate the game. His Bayern team courageously defends man-to-man, which means a high risk. However, he gives his players more freedom than Guardiola does,” the Bayern legend wrote to The Athletic in February.

Kompany rotates more personnel than in the previous season, but remains tactically consistent with a 4-2-3-1. He relies on intensive pressing and dominant possession of the ball, so his team creates numerous top-class chances. The result: 25 goals in 6 games, i.e. more than 4 goals per game.

BVB success model Chain of three

The tactical formation is currently the most noticeable difference between the two coaches. At BVB, Kovac relies on a three-man defense chain plus two more offensive-minded full-backs. However, this wasn’t his original plan.

When Kovac took over Borussia, which was reeling under his predecessor Nuri Sahin, in February, he initially chose a back four as a defensive formation. However, the start got off to a bad start with four defeats from the first six Bundesliga games. The 2-0 loss in Leipzig in mid-March was the last Bundesliga game in which Kovac had BVB line up with a back four.

Kovac with the best points average of all BVB coaches

He made an exception in the Champions League quarter-finals against FC Barcelona. However, the 4-0 defeat there in the first leg confirmed that the formation did not suit the team. Since then, Kovac has relied on a three-man chain – in consultation with the players, as he emphasizes. And since then he has only lost one competitive game with BVB, the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup against Real Madrid (2:3).

Statistically speaking, Kovac is currently the most successful Dortmund coach in history, having scored 2.1 points per Bundesliga game (13 wins in 20 games). Although he continues to rely on hard work and a stable defense, the offense also works. In the 20 games, his team scored 47 goals, only FC Bayern was more dangerous during this period.

Kovac with a new appearance

At 54, Kovac appears mature and confident and seems to have learned from the weak phases of his coaching career. Kovac said on Wednesday that he had certainly developed further as a coach. “You try to improve yourself every day, also as a person. Every single station – you always take something with you and try to keep things that were good and improve others that were less good.”

In his most recent engagements in Munich, Monaco and Wolfsburg, things went downhill after a good first few months, so he had to leave early three times. According to reports, the strict, aloof manner that Kovac used to deal with the players often played a role.

In Dortmund he now presents himself as more open and communicative and appears internally stable. It remains to be seen whether he can ride the wave of success for longer. A point win on Saturday in Munich would certainly be helpful.